Settlers Pub; Great Food & Drinks Right in the Heart of Harrison Hotsprings

The Settler Pub is a homey pub located in Harrison Hot Springs, which is known, unsurprisingly, for its natural hot springs. Harrison is located about a two-hour drive from Vancouver, and a 2.5-hour drive from Kelowna making it a convenient weekend trip location for most people living in BC. As is the case with many towns in British Columbia, Harrison Hot Springs can trace its heritage back to the gold rush era where a group of miners capsized in Harrison Lake expecting to freeze only to be relieved when the water they fell into was warm. Initially Harrison Hot Springs was called ‘St. Alice’s Well’ and as the resort grew around the springs following the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the settlement eventually took on the Harrison name, though it wasn’t formally incorporated as a village until 1949. Today, Harrison is a beloved destination familiar to many British Columbians, whether you first visited on a school trip, a family road trip, or a weekend getaway. Known for its soothing hot springs, beautiful lakefront, and laid-back atmosphere, Harrison Hot Springs has long been a place to relax and unwind. But now, there is one more reason for you to visit!

The Settler Pub is ideally located in the heart of Harrison Hot Springs, just a two-minute walk from the Visitor Centre and the Harrison Hot Springs Resort. The beautiful lakefront is also only a short stroll away, where visitors can take in picturesque views of Harrison Lake and the majestic Mount Cheam. There is also plenty of parking that is free for anyone visiting the pub, and you can also park for free directly beside the visitor centre in the grass (this is convenient for parking after you have left the pub) which as mentioned is minutes away from the pub and everything else Harrison has to offer. The Settler Pub is the only pub in town, so you really get the sense that the whole community spirit lives in this pub, the people are just like the pub itself, warm and welcoming.

The pub is built in a lodge style and quite large with plenty of outdoor patio space, and a private events area that overlooks a lovely lily pad laiden creek (Miami River) and mountains. The pub is built entirely of wood, and this provides an incredibly warm and welcoming atmosphere. In 1980, the property was purchased by Gene Chanasyk who originally built it for a restaurant called the Homestead House Restaurant. Gene purchased 160 acres of land in Princeton, BC specifically to build out his vision of a log cabin style building. He then single-handedly logged and prepared around 300 pine logs, and he hand-built the entire building you see today without using a single pin or nail in the walls! Think about that the next time assembling your IKEA furniture set seems like a daunting task.

Gene retired in the late 1990s, and the pub changed hands a few times before ultimately Carl Davis took over, rebranding as just “The Settler Pub” dropping the “old” from the name.

As for the food I had some of the pub’s staple dishes and was thoroughly impressed with the quality of the produce, the portions and the flavour. Starting off with the appetizers, the Calamari was perfectly cooked and delicious. Sometimes calamari can be rubbery in texture, and this was not that as it was very fresh with a crispy coating, everything you would expect from great calamari. Next up the loaded burger which is the pub’s best seller! You can’t beat a classic burger and this one delivers everything you would want from a pub burger; juicy with bacon cheddar and their signature settler hamburger sauce (hard to describe what this sauce tastes like, yum comes to mind?) and one twist is their sauteed mushrooms included on the burger. As a schedule ‘A’ mushroom hater, these mushrooms were delicious; give them a try.

Moving onto my favourite dish; the dessert, I had the apple crisp which is a family recipe and in fact it did feel like I was a part of the family when I took my first bite. Let me tell you with no exaggeration this was the best apple crisp I have ever had in my life! The top was a crispy pie-like crumble which was perfectly contrasted with the gooey and melt in your mouth apples that were underneath, and of course how can you have an apple crisp without a big old scoop of vanilla ice cream? I would say the apple crisp is large enough to share with 2-3 people, and I had no issue finishing it by myself if that gives you any indication on how delicious it was.

The drink menu is extensive, with something for every occasion and personal preference. Guests can choose from an impressive selection of draft beers, craft beers by the can, ciders, cocktails, Martinis, a full page of signature cocktails, and a thoughtfully curated wine list. As far as pubs go, you really couldn’t ask for any more options or variety then what The Settler Pub offers.

So, if you haven’t been to Harrison (or if you have not been in a while), and are curious to try the Hot Springs make sure to stop The Settler Pub, you will be greeted with friendly faces a warm atmosphere great food and drinks.